Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) and Shell have agreed to conduct a feasibility study on chemically recycling plastic waste in the country. The study will include waste sorting facilities and plastic pyrolysis plants to recycle plastic waste. Pyrolysis is a process which chemically turns plastic waste into pyrolysis oil, which then can be used as feedstock to produce chemicals and plastics.
The cooperation is part of NEA’s efforts to increase domestic plastic recycling rates and reinforce Singapore’s waste management infrastructure. NEA has prioritized three waste streams, including plastic packaging, which accounts for over 50% of packaging waste disposed of in Singapore. Through chemical recycling, NEA aims at diverting plastics from incineration, which can reduce the country’s CO2 emissions and help realize a vision of a Zero Waste Nation.
The cooperation is also part of Shell’s efforts to transform its business to become more circular and sustainable. Last year, Shell announced ambitious plans to use 1 million tons/year of plastic waste as feedstock at its chemical plants in North America, Asia, and Europe by 2025. Since November last year, Shell has used pyrolysis oil from plastic waste as feedstock at its Norco facility in Louisiana.
